Single casing advanced driver assistance system

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a vehicle mountable universal driver assistance device. This device includes a housing unit encasing a common module on which are mounted a first camera module, a second camera module, different from the first camera module, and a ranging module. The common module may be moved along an axis to adjust the viewing angle of the first camera, second camera and ranging module. The device can be mounted on windshield of any vehicle and can be calibrated accordingly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS)and more particularly to a single casing advanced driver assistancedevice.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Driver assistance systems are being widely used these days in vehicles.These systems help a driver to be attentive to the road by providingvarious kinds of information to the driver of the vehicle. Typically,such systems are in-built to the vehicle and vary from vehicle tovehicle. Since these are in-built into the vehicle, hence are alreadycalibrated and cannot be utilized for any other vehicle. Also, if suchsystems do require calibration it is not easy and requires sophisticatedtechniques and tools.

Therefore, there exists the need for a better universal solution toprovide freedom of usage to users of vehicle.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises an advanced driver assistance devicehaving one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/orone or more of the following features, which alone or in any combinationmay comprise patentable subject matter:

The objective of the invention is to provide a universal/genericadvanced driver assistance device that may be retrofitted to vehicles ofdifferent types and sizes.

Accordingly, in an embodiment of the invention, there is provided avehicle mountable reconfigurable advanced driver assistance device. Thedevice includes a single housing unit enclosing a common module. Thecommon module is configured to move along an axis to adjust a verticalangle of the common module. The device further includes a first cameramodule that is arranged on the common module, wherein the first cameramodule (comprises a stereoscopic camera) of a short focal length thatdetects activity within a close-rage vicinity of the vehicle anddistance of objects within the close-range vicinity; the device furtherincludes a second camera module, that is different from the first cameramodule, arranged on the common module, wherein the second camera modulehas a longer focal length in order to detect activity within along-range vicinity of the vehicle and distance of objects within thelong-range vicinity; the device further includes a ranging module,arranged on the common module, such that it is in close proximity to thesecond camera module, and it is configured to detect distance betweenthe vehicle with frontal object such as a vehicle present in front ofthe vehicle; and wherein the movement of the common module along theaxis simultaneously changes vertical viewing angle/field of view of thefirst camera module, the second module and the ranging module. Thedevice may further include a microphone array or multiple directionalsound sensors for determining ambient noise.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesof the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the presentdisclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part ofthe present disclosure. For a better understanding of the presentdisclosure with advantages and features, refer to the description and tothe drawings.

The ADAS system can be calibrated to be used in different types ofvehicle like truck, cars and buses by changing the forward looking angleof the system and adjusting the system parameters. The ADAS system mayalso be reconfigured to work with both right-hand driven and left-handdriven vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofvarious embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction withthe drawings provided herein. For the purpose of illustration, there isshown in the drawings exemplary embodiments; however, the presentlydisclosed subject matter is not limited to the specific methods andinstrumentalities disclosed.

FIG. 1a is a line diagram illustrating perspective view of a driverassistance device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1b is a line diagram illustrating rear view of the driverassistance device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a line diagram illustrating a common module in accordance withan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a line diagram illustrating a driver state monitoring device,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a line diagram illustrating a display device, in accordance toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a line diagram illustrating rear view of a driver assistancedevice with attached driver state monitoring device and display device,in accordance to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a line diagram illustrating a control box of a driverassistance device with its internal components

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently disclosed subject matter is described with specificity tomeet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is notintended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors havecontemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied inother ways, to include different steps or elements similar to the onesdescribed in this document, in conjunction with other present or futuretechnologies. Moreover, although the term “step” may be used herein toconnote different aspects of methods employed, the term should not beinterpreted as implying any particular order among or between varioussteps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individualsteps is explicitly described.

Referring now to FIG. 1a , illustrating a line diagram of perspectiveview of a driver assistance device 100, in accordance to an embodimentof the invention. The device 100 includes a single housing unit 102. Thesingle housing unit 102 can be made up of any one or a combination of aplastic, a fiber, or a metal. In other embodiments of the invention, thesingle housing unit 102 is an elongated rectangular shaped unit. Thesingle housing unit 102 includes a mounting panel 102 a. The mountingpanel 102 a may include a double-sided tape that may be utilized tomount the device 100 on to the front windshield of a vehicle. However,the mounting panel 102 a may also include micro sized suction cups thatare utilized to mount the device 100 on to the windshield of thevehicle. The micro sized suction cups can be placed in a scatteredmanner to provide efficient mounting on to the windshield of thevehicle. In other embodiments of the invention, the DSM 300 can also bemounted on other parts of the vehicle like “A-pillar”, etc. wherein theDSM 300 may be attached to the single housing unit 102 or the controlbox using wire/cable.

The device 100, further includes a connector 110 through which thedevice 100 is connected to a control box or the vehicle's electroniccontrol unit (ECU).

The device 100, further houses a first camera module 104 a, 104 b. In anembodiment of the invention, the first camera module 104 a, 104 b is astereo camera module that includes twin lenses. As known in the art, astereo camera includes two or more lenses with a separate image sensoror film frame for each lens. This allows the camera to simulate humanbinocular vision, and therefore gives it the ability to capturethree-dimensional images. Images captured using stereo camera can beutilized to form stereo-views and 3D pictures. Typically, the lenseslike 104 a, 104 b are kept apart by about 6.35 cm that is approximatelythe distance between human eyes. Hence, the two lenses imitate humaneyes and help understanding objects in-front and distance to them. Thestereo camera module 104 a, 104 b is adapted to have a short focallength. The short focal length allows the stereo camera module 104 a,104 b to detect objects that are within a close-range proximity(distance may be 6-10 meters) of the vehicle on which the device 100 ismounted. Also, the distance to such objects can be measure using theimages captured by the stereo camera module 104 a, 104 b.

Still referring to FIG. 1a , the device further houses, a second cameramodule 108. The second camera module 108 is a long-range narrow fieldcamera. This helps the driver of the vehicle on which the device 100 ismounted, to identify objects in long focal length or objects inlong-range vicinity of the vehicle (distance 50-60 meters). Hence, thedriver is alarmed of any object or activity, road signs, road blocks,etc. in a long-range from the vehicle.

The device 100, further houses a ranging module 106. The ranging module,in an embodiment of the invention is a 1D Light Detection and RangingModule (LiDAR). The LiDAR 106 includes a receiver 106 a and transmitter106 b. LiDAR, as known in the art, is based on a surveying method tomeasure distance to a target after the target is illuminated with aLASER light. In another embodiment, Lidar may be a 1D, 2D or 3D that mayutilize ultraviolet, visible, or near infrared light to range objects.It can target a wide range of materials, including non-metallic objects.A narrow laser-beam can map physical features with very highresolutions. LiDAR systems have been used in transportation systems toassist in a variety of vehicular applications like Adaptive CruiseControl (ACC), Emergency Brake Assist, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)depending on the detection of vehicle environment to act autonomously orsemi-autonomously. In an embodiment of the invention the single housingunit 102 further includes a common module 200 on which are arranged thefirst camera module 104 a, 104 b, the second camera module 108 and theranging module 106 that will be explained later in conjunction with FIG.2.

Further, in an embodiment of the invention, the single housing unit 102may further includes a gear module 112. The gear module 112 helps inmanual adjustment of the vertical viewing angle/field of view of thevarious optical sensors as described above encased within the device100. It will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the artthat this gear module 112 can also be replaced by one or multiple motors(not shown in the figure) for adjustment of vertical viewing angle/fieldof view of the various components encased within the device 100.

Now referring to FIG. 1b , a line diagram illustrating rear view of thedevice 100. The device 100 having the single housing unit 102 includestwo back panels 114 a and 114 b. Both back panels 114 a and 114 b aresimilar in make. Back panel 114 a includes mounting holes 116 a-116 cwhereas back panel 114 b includes mounting holes 116 d-116 f that aresuitable to mount various other devices that will be explained laterwithin description.

Now referring to FIG. 2, a line diagram illustrating a common module 200as described above. Common module 200 is placed within the device 100.In an embodiment of the invention, the common module 200 is made up ofanyone or a combination of a metal, a plastic, or fiber. Common module200 includes various components within the device 100 such as a firstcamera module 104 a, 104 b, the second camera module 108 and the rangingmodule 106. All the components are arranged on the common module 200using fasteners 204 a, 204 b and others not shown in the figure forease's sake. As, shown in the figure, the common module 200 includes agroove 202 a in order to be fixed to the gear module 112 through aconnector (not shown in figured). The connector hence, links the gearmodule 112 and the common module 200 and therefore, the common module200 can be moved up or down through its vertical axis/an axis bymovement of the gear module 112 manually. As described above, the sameeffect can be brought by replacing the gear module 112 with one or morethan one motors (not shown in figure). The presence of motors can helpin electronic or automated adjustment of the field of view of thecomponents mounted on the common module 200 encased within the singlehousing unit 102 of the device 100. Common module 200 also may includethe printed circuit boards (not shown in figure) or mother boardrequired for functioning of the components mounted on it.

Now referring to FIG. 3, a line diagram illustrating a driver statemonitoring (DSM) device 300. The DSM device 300 is adapted to be fixedto one of the back panels 114 a, 114 b of the device 100 based on themake of the vehicle on which the device 100 is mounted i.e. whether itis a left-hand drive or a right-hand drive. Hence, even if the DSMdevice is mounted on the back panel 114 b device 100 for a left-handdrive vehicle and it is required to use the device 100 for a right-handdrive vehicle, the DSM can be reconfigured by detaching and then placingit on the other back panel 114 b. Further the DSM device 300 includes acamera 304 that identifies state of the driver and various demographicsof the driver. Hence, the camera 304 can perform driver profiling andidentify emotional state of the driver as well that can be utilized toperform various other functions. The camera 304 is encased within ahousing 302. The housing 302 can be made up of anyone or a combinationof a metal, fiber, plastic, etc. the housing 302 further includes amounting bracket 308 for mounting the DSM device 300 on to one of theback panels 114 a, 114 b of device 100. The DSM device 300 also includesa gear module 306 that can be utilized to manually adjust the angle ofthe camera. In other embodiments of the invention, the gear module 306can be replaced using one or multiple motors to automate angleadjustment of the camera 304.

Now referring to FIG. 4, a line diagram illustrating a warning displaydevice 400 adapted to be mounted on to one of the back panels 114 a, 114b of the device 100. The display device 400 includes a housing unit 402encasing a display 404. The housing unit 402 can be made up of anyone ora combination of a plastic, a metal, or a fiber. The display 404 can bechosen from a group comprising a thin film transistor display, an LEDdisplay, an OLED display, an LCD, a Plasma screen, a projection display,a micro-display etc. it may also be a touch screen of either capacitiveor resistive nature for user interaction. The touch screen interface ofthe display 404 may be replaced by a tactile keyboard. A speaker or abuzzer may be included in the display device for providing audio warmingand alerts. The speaker may be substituted by a mechanical soundproducing device. The housing 402 further includes connector 406 forconnection to the device 100. Furthermore, the housing 402 includesmounting bracket 408 that includes mounting holed 4082 a and 4082 bthrough which the housing 402 can be mounted on to anyone of the backpanels 114 a, or 114 b based on the type of vehicle i.e. right-handdrive or left-hand drive vehicle. Also, as like the DSM device 300, thewarning display device 400 can be also be reconfigured based on the typeof vehicle on which the device 100 is being mounted on.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a line diagram illustrates a rear view ofcomplete driver assistance device 100 along with attached DSM device 300mounted on to back panel 114 a and the warning display device 400mounted on the back panel 114 b. As indicated in detailed description,the DSM device 300 and warning display device 400 can be placed oneither of the mounting panels 114 a, 114 b based on the type of drive ofthe vehicle i.e. for left-hand or right-hand drive vehicle.

Now referring to FIG. 6 a line diagram illustrating a control box 600 towhich the ADAS device 400 is communicatively linked using a wired orwireless communication module, for transferring real-time data fromsensors to the control box 600 and receiving commands from the controlbox 600. The wired means may use a wire, cable, umbilical cable, opticalcable, or any of the similar wired communication links. The wirelessmeans may be a proprietary short range radio link, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, orany of the similar wireless communication technologies. The control box600 comprises a high performance computing module 602 that utilizes agraphics memory 604 to perform real-time image processing, data fusionand Artificial intelligence (AI). A mass memory 606 is included in thecontrol box 600 for permanent storage of large amount of data related todeep learning technique (AI), sensor calibration, driver profile,vehicle profile, ADAS operation log etc. A GPS or satellite basedlocalization modules 608 is also included in the control box 600 toprovide accurate position of the vehicle in the physical world. Thecontrol box 600 also includes a long-range wireless communication module610 for communicating with a central server. The long-range wirelesscommunication module enables the control to communicate using acellular/WI-FI/WiMAX/ISM communication, vehicle-to-vehicle network orsatellite communication.

The control box 600 and the ADAS device 400 are powered by the vehicle'spower supply. Furthermore, the control box may comprise of a secondarypower source 612 such as a rechargeable battery or an ultra-capacitor.The secondary power source 612 may provide operational power to thesystem in case of emergency, accident, electronic failure, theft, remoteoperations.). The system is designed to operate at 24/12 V DC powersupply, however, system may also work in a low power mode using internalbattery. The power ON circuit may be programmed to operate while vehicleis in motion and automatically switch off after 15 minute of vehicleuse. The GPS, vision and other sensors data may be used to determinewhether the vehicle is in use or parked/unused.

The ADAS is designed to be retrofitted to an existing vehicle andprovide advance warning/alert features to a driver. Additionally, thesides of the ADAS device may include multiple sound detectors or amicrophone array arrangement to detect noise from surrounding of thevehicle. The ambiance sound may be fed to the control box for processingand classification.

Aspects of the present subject matter are described herein withreference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methodsand apparatus (systems) according to embodiments of the subject matter.It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerreadable program instructions.

While there has been shown, and described herein what are presentlyconsidered the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, it willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications can be made therein without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present subject matter. In this regard, each block inthe flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, orportion of instructions, which comprises one or more executableinstructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In somealternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occurout of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, andsystems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms.Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the formof the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Theaccompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover suchforms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of thepresent disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle mountable advanced driver assistancedevice comprising; a single housing unit; a common module disposedwithin the housing unit and configured to move along a vertical axis; afirst camera module, arranged on the common module, wherein the firstcamera module has a short focal length for detecting activity within aclose-range vicinity of the vehicle and distance of objects within theclose-range vicinity; a second camera module, different from the firstcamera module, arranged on the common module, wherein the second cameramodule has a long focal length for detecting activity within along-range vicinity of the vehicle and distance of objects within thelong-range vicinity; a microphone for detection of noise near thedriver, a ranging module, arranged on the common module next to thesecond camera module, configured to measure a distance between thevehicle and an object present in front of the vehicle, wherein movementof the common module is configured to simultaneously adjust a verticalviewing angle of the first camera module, second module, and the rangingmodule; a driver state monitoring device attached to one side of rearpart of the device and configured to detect activity of a driver of thevehicle; and a display device attached to other side of rear part of thedevice and configured to provide a user interface of the driver of thevehicle, wherein the driver monitoring device and the display device maybe interchangeably replaced based on drive configuration of the vehicle.2. The vehicle mountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 1,wherein, the movement of the common module is manual or automatic. 3.The vehicle mountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 2,wherein the common module is attached to a gear module placed onexterior part of the housing unit to move the common module for manualmovement.
 4. The vehicle mountable advanced driver assistance device ofclaim 2, wherein the housing unit includes a motorized mechanism to movethe common module electronically for automatic movement.
 5. The vehiclemountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 1, wherein thedriver state monitoring device is attached to a side, of rear part ofthe device, that is closer to a driving side of the vehicle.
 6. Thevehicle mountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 1, whereinthe display device is attached to a side, of rear part of the device,that is farther form the driving side of the vehicle.
 7. The vehiclemountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 1, wherein thedevice is configured to interact with a remote system using wirelesscommunication.
 8. The vehicle mountable advanced driver assistancedevice of claim 7, wherein the wireless communications is land basedwireless communication, or a satellite communication.
 9. The vehiclemountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 1, wherein, thefirst camera module comprising a stereoscopic camera.
 10. The vehiclemountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 1, wherein thesecond camera module is a long-range narrow field camera.
 11. Thevehicle mountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 1, wherein,the ranging module is a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) unit. 12.The vehicle mountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 1,wherein the housing unit is made up of anyone or a combination of aplastic, a polymer, a composite material, a fiber, or a metal.
 13. Thevehicle mountable advanced driver assistance device of claim 1, wherein,the common module is made up of anyone or a combination of a plastic, afiber, or a metal.